As the Houston Astros kick off their season, fans gather at the stadium, undeterred by the rainy weather. The excitement is palpable as they prepare for a day filled with baseball and camaraderie.
KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding was outside of Street Fest, a fun-filled festival just outside of Daikin Park in the hours leading up to the Opening Day game against the New York Mets.
Here are some of Gage’s conversations with fans:
“I’m already ready,” Johan Hernandez said, showcasing his enthusiasm for the event.
Goulding replied, “It’s rainy today, but what does it mean to be here? I would be excited.”
Justin Gonzalez chimed in, “This is close to Christmas and your birthday right here all in one, man. You know, it’s that time of year.” He pointed out the long line of fans stretching down the concourse, a clear sign of the day’s significance.
Goulding noticed Hernandez’s Astros-themed blue and gold chains and asked, “Where does one find all of this?”
“My mother made it all,” Hernandez proudly replied.
Goulding continued, “Tell me, how did you even come up with half the stuff?”
Hernandez’s mother explained, “I just played around with it, till I found out what I liked and put it on there.”
When asked about her inspiration, she shared, “In memory of my husband. He passed away two years ago.”
Hernandez added, “Oh, this is my father. He was a big [Kyle] Tucker fan and a massive Astros fan.”
The conversation turned to wristbands worn by fans to honor their fathers during the game. “Here you are, the wristbands for pops, which is that they hit a home run from a father,” Hernandez explained.
Goulding playfully asked about the fans’ decision to skip work for the game. “It’s a Thursday in the middle of the day, playing a little hooky at work?” he noted.
Gonzalez responded, “We got the memo. They all got the memo. We’re here.”
Hernandez added, “It’s Astros, baby. Everybody knows there’s no lying.”
As the conversation continued, Hernandez confirmed, “I guess it’s play before work.”
Goulding asked Caleb Clarabut if this was his first Opening Day. “Yes,” Clarabut replied, his excitement evident.
“What are you most excited for?” Goulding inquired.
“For the Astros to win the game,” Clarabut said enthusiastically.
Caleb’s father reflected on the day, saying, “You always think about it when you’re raising a kid. And it’s your first opening day together. Hopefully, we keep making more.”
Goulding asked if school was in session, to which Caleb’s father confirmed, “Oh, yeah.”
When pressed about the excuse for skipping school, he said, “We’re going to a baseball game.”
Goulding laughed, “So you straight-up told them?”
“I straight-up told them,” the father confirmed. “And they’re like, ‘Okay, that’s fine.’”
Another fan, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that he took leave without pay to attend the game. “Yep,” he said, emphasizing the importance of being there. “We just love the Astros.”
Goulding asked if they believed the team was on the verge of something special this year. “Yes, we are with Smith,” the fan replied confidently.
As the conversations continued, another fan joked about a doctor’s appointment, saying, “You’ve got to see Dr. Altuve. Right?”
The fun wasn’t only limited to Astros’ fans, though. The Mets also had plenty of supporters taking in the Houston hospitality.
Karl Brunner, a Mets fan visiting Houston, shared his experience. “I happen to be from Long Island. Big Mets fan. Converted my wife to be a Mets fan,” he said, highlighting the friendly rivalry among fans.
The atmosphere was filled with laughter and excitement as fans prepared for the game, showcasing the community spirit that baseball fosters in Houston.
